STAFF
Myra Smith is our new Program Coordinator at MMI that just joined us this past August 2018. Myra grew up in Santa Maria, California and learned to serve the Lord through her parents loving example. She volunteered in Africa for two years prior to marrying her husband Jeff. She worked in Togo and Ghana for a year each with the Assemblies of God Church. They have two daughters and now two grandchildren. Myra has a passion for the Lord and missions and is excited to continue that work at MMI. She worked as a administrative assistant in several ministries her whole adult life and most recently with Pastor Terry Townsend at Peoples Church for 18 years. When you call MMI, Myra will be answering your phone calls.
MMI is blessed to announce another new employee. James Diaz is taking over Alisa Martin’s position as Director of Warehouse Management. James Diaz comes with a wonderful background of experience.
For 39 years, James was the Regional Manager for the State of California’s Employment Development Department for the Central Valley. James retired 8 years ago. But. James has not retired from serving in his community and at Peoples Church (PC). James and his lovely wife Bonnie were Head Ushers and Greeters at Peoples Church. James oversaw the Stephen’s Ministry for 11 years. He was the President of Men’s Ministry at Peoples Church when it was called Kingsmen. He was on the PC Church Council. Once a month he prays with the men at the Fresno Rescue Mission. James enjoys golf.
But, James was searching for something new in his life. When he heard about the MMI Warehouse Position, he began to pray and God blessed us with James. Welcome James and Bonnie to the MMI family.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Louie Martina
Board Chairman
Louie is the CEO of PARC Environmental. He took his first mission trip fifteen years ago, and a love for God’s people throughout the world was birthed in him. Since then, he has traveled to many different countries and worked to grow God’s Kingdom. In addition to Board Chairman, Louie heads up the MMI international construction teams. He and his wife Marguery have four grown children and two grandchildren.
Tom and Nancy Stoeckel
Board Members / Founders
Tom and Nancy founded MMI in 1998 after seeing firsthand the vast need for health care and supplies globally. Tom is a retired Naval Captain and a registered nurse since 1975 with extensive medical experience as the Department Head of Level One Trauma Center Emergency Department for 13 years. He has Master’s Degrees in Radiation Physics and Counseling Psychology and has been an Ordained Minister since 2008 from the Berean school of the Bible. Nancy has a Master’s Degree in Science and is a Family Nurse Practitioner. Over the last twenty one years she has worked as a Public Health Nurse and a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner specializing in women’s health. Together, Tom and Nancy combine their extensive education and experience with a love for Christ and a passion for reaching and caring for others, mentoring and teaching, especially the under-served around the world.
Samantha Husman
Board Member
As MMI’s newest Board Member, Samatha Husman has already left her mark on the organization. With a heart to serve and a passion for the mission of MMI, she’s making investments that will leave a lasting impact on those that MMI serves around the world.
Through her participation on the M*A*S*H Team (MMI’s marathon training team), Samantha has educated and recruited others to join her in her fundraising efforts for MMI. Twelve of her co-workers signed on as part of the M*A*S*H Team for the Two Cities Half-Marathon that took place in early November. According to Samantha, it was a great time of personal growth and team building. “I recommend it highly for anyone who has a team, manages a team, or just wants to get healthier and support a great cause as a part of a team,” said Samantha.
Additionally, Samantha is a logistics specialist and has worked in domestic supply management for the past 15 years. Her knowledge is an incredible resource to the MMI staff when it comes to shipping containers around the world. It’s this experience that drew Samantha to MMI in the first place. “During my second M*A*S*H Team event I became more interested in the non-profit that the team supported, so I began asking questions about MMI’s mission,” said Samantha. “I was most interested in the logistics aspect of MMI’s mission and thought I might be able to volunteer my time to offer assistance in that area.” Samantha was right, as her assistance is greatly valued and appreciated by all who work with her at MMI.
Samantha attends NorthPointe Community Church with her husband, Paul. They have four adult children, with their youngest still living at home and attending a special day program.
Angelica Gonzalez
Board Member
Angelica Gonzalez is a new member on the MMI Board but a long time friend of MMI. Her husband George Gonzalez, MD was a MMI founding board member and Angelica has been part of MMI’s growth and development over the years. Her commitment to MMI became personal when their local chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) was asked to fundraise for a MMI container to the Nebobongo Hospital in the DRC in 2012. During that time a malaria/salmonella outbreak brought 30 kids per day to this small hospital coupled with an ebola outbreak later that summer. In 2013, Dr Gonzalez and Angelica traveled to the Nebobongo Hospital to provide medical education for the staff. It was there that Angelica got to see up close and personal a hospital with no running water or electricity and to see how the medical supplies entrusted to MMI make a significant difference in a 3rd world hospital overseas. Since then, their local Fresno CMDA has fundraised for a new red brick pediatric ward ((2014) and a 2. MMI container (2015) for the Nebobongo Hospital. Angelica received her MSW in Social Work from USC and a BS Degree in Psychology from UC Davis.
Nora Christensen
Board Member
Nora Christensen is a beloved member and the heart and soul of the MMI Board of Directors. As a long-time friend of the Tom and Nancy Stoeckel, Nora has been actively supporting the work of MMI since its inception in 1998. Nora has been the driving force behind MMI’s much needed growth in the area of sustainability and a huge part of the planning and execution of MMI’s Community Development project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nora’s husband, Norm passed two years ago and watches proudly from his heavenly home as Nora continues their legacy of ministry and love in Christ. Nora has three sons, six grandchildren and 10 great grand children. Nora has called People’s Church home for almost fifty years.
Ralph Handly, O.D.
Board Member
Dr. Ralph Handly is an Optometrist retired after 45 years of practice. His practice venues have included the military, solo private practice and a group eye care practice. He is a retired US Army Colonel and recently retired as a partner at Eye-Q Vision Care in Fresno where he served 10 years as Board President. Since he joined the board of MMI, Ralph has volunteered countless hours in our warehouse building our supply of prescription glasses and working on donated equipment. Ralph has been married to Barbara, a retired nurse administrator, for 48 years and they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. They share a love of travel and a passion for the vision and ministry of MMI.
Hymman Wood
Board Member
Hymman Otis Wood, Jr. has been deeply involved in pastoring, leading, teaching, and serving on missions for over fifty years. With degrees from California State University Fresno, Assemblies of God Seminary, and Fresno Pacific University, Hymman brings his education as well as his experience to MMI. He and his wife Virginia have two sons and four grandchildren.
VOLUNTEER STAFF
Rachel Kenny
Director of International Clinics
In the spring of 2012, before she entered the nursing program at Fresno State, Rachel had the opportunity of going to an orphanage in Haiti, where God continued transforming her heart and shifting her passion to serve and love His people across the world. Rachel first encountered MMI in the fall following that trip to Haiti. She began volunteering at the MMI Clovis warehouse then joined the medical teams going to Fiji and the Solomon Islands in 2013. After this life-changing experience, God opened the door for her to become a part of the MMI team as one of the overseas clinic leaders. Currently Rachel graduated from nursing school this past December 2015. Rachel says, “I am excited to continue pursuing the Lord’s calling of medical missions as I become and RN!” Rachel is working as a nurse in the BURN UNIT!!!